The CEO of the Russian state nuclear energy company Rosatom, Sergey Kiriyenko, will not comment on anybody's statements, the company spokesperson, Sergey Novikov, said.

Novikov's statement came as a response to the Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov who urged Kiriyenko to admit that the EUR 4 B contract they signed with the previous Bulgarian Three-way Coalition cabinet was misleading about the real price of the Bulgarian Belene nuclear power plant project.

The Rosatom spokesperson reiterated that the contract was signed for EUR 4 B but it also envisions that there might be an increase of the price, due to the inflation index.

He also pointed out that the contract was signed in 2006, which means that for four years the countries did not manage to negotiate the increase of the price either because they did not want to or because they lacked the will to do it.

In his words, both countries calculate the escalation in a different way and this triggers the discussion whether the cost of the project would be EUR 4-5-6 B. He added that Bulgarian would not have to pay anithing from its budget because the payment will be done by the consortium of investors, which will participate in the project.

Novikov has explained that there are two options for the Belene NPP – the project has to be either stopped, or a solution has to be found.

He noted that the stopping the project would lead to Bulgaria's loss of leader positions in the nuclear energy on the Balkans and would give an opportunity to other countries to get ahead.

The second option requires finding a solution, Novikov said. He added that potential investors would arrive to Sofia on Tuesday and if they agree on participating in the project, Bulgaria would not have to pay from its state budget.

The meeting between Borisov and Kiriyenko is scheduled for 3 pm local time. However, the Bulgarian PM said he would negotiate with the Russian company only if they admit they misled the country about the real price of Belene NPP.

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